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Enough to Frighten Me Into Cleaning!

Regular readers will know that cleaning doesn't top my list of favourite things to do, but some of the statistics in this infographic from Ecomovers were so horrifying that I headed straight for the cleaning stuff! Luckily I'm slightly obsessed with changing dishcloths, tea towels and hand towels, so I don't think ours can be too bad. Although I'm not about to let the OCD gang from Obsessive Compulsive Cleaners come round with that probe gadget thing! Do you watch that? Wow, those people are amazing! Wish I had the energy and desire to clean for four hours a day, on top of working, parenting and all the rest. Ready to join their ranks? Here are those yucky stats, plus some eco cleaning tips, and more...

Cats have an unfounded reputation as disloyal, perfidious creatures who live alongside us simply because a bowl of food turns up fairly regularly. They are reputed to be standoffish, overly independent and difficult to understand. Recent research has suggested that cats have a long-term memory of at least a decade, and animal behaviourists are gaining new understanding of their actions all the time. The truth is cats are independent creatures with their own thoughts and opinions on what is and isn't acceptable; we humans just have to put up with it! But do they actually love us? Well, if you think your cat doesn't care, think again.

How excited are your little ones getting about Christmas? With just 6 weeks to go, the wish lists are sure to be growing and you may have even started your Christmas shopping and planning. But what about the all important Advent calendar? Nothing beats opening a tiny window each morning as the December countdown begins, and even better if there is a small toy or chocolate treat behind each door!

I bet you didn't know that play dough conducts electricity, or that it could be the ideal way to kick-start children's interest in electronics and circuits, from as early as age 4. STEM toys and activities have largely centred on technology-led learning and, if kids have no interest in computing, coding or building a robot there aren't many alternatives. Tech Will Save Us seek to plug this gap with their award-winning DIY kits and toys.

The annual top toys for Christmas list was announced yesterday, including LEGO, slime, Barbie, pooping unicorns, L.O.L. Surprise, Paw Patrol and even a new version of Monopoly. Take a look at the list below for our pick of the toys retailers predict will be the top toys for Christmas, and a few more of our top choices too.

In theory, getting pregnant is easy. After all, most of us spend a good many years aiming to not get pregnant, so we assume that when we want to it will all happen easily and quickly. Right time of the month, no contraception and Bob's your uncle, or something like that. In reality, it will take most couples 6 months or longer to get pregnant. But there are plenty of things you can do to boost your chances of getting pregnant - beyond the obvious! Here are 10 things you should do when trying to conceive - and 3 you shouldn't.

This delicious and impressive-looking vegan main course is perfect for Sunday lunch with the family or for special occasions like Thanksgiving or Easter, even Christmas. Even the die-hard meat eaters will be impressed with this one, so make sure you make enough! The quantities given here for the blackberry sauce makes just a small amount to drizzle over the potatoes and parsnips. If you would prefer more, just multiply up the quantities. You can use frozen blackberries for the sauce, just make sure the defrosted weight is correct for the recipe.

OK, I'm going to go ahead and do this, brace yourselves! Christmas. Not much more than 100 days to go, the toy adverts are upping their pace on TV, and the weather might even have decided its autumn already. The holidays are coming as a certain soft drink manufacturer tells us. If you really want to get in the festive spirit this year, why not book a trip to one of Europe's most magical Christmas markets?

If you're looking for something different this Christmas, or you have vegetarian visitors to cater for, this unusual oriental pudding recipe could be just the ticket. This authentic dish from the UK's leading oriental grocer, Wing Yip, will give an extra spice and twist to your festive fare this season.